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Why promote the use of native plants as a landowner conservation goal?Native plants improve our water quality, reduce soil and wind erosion, clean the air, reduce energy costs, attract and support local wildlife, and beautify property. So it’s no wonder that Whidbey Island Conservation District (WICD), whose mission is to promote and encourage conservation and responsible use of natural resources, is passionate about native plants.
But why do we annually hold our plant sale during the wintertime? The answer in two words: bare root. Bare root plants are the most affordable way to spread natives, and winter is bare root season. You can safely transport bare roots in cool conditions and plant anytime the ground isn’t frozen. We are committed to encouraging people to plant natives because using non-natives that are not adapted to the local environment just sets the stage for perpetual maintenance - leading to extra watering, the depletion of soil fertility, the potential for invasive weeds to take hold and spread, and the subsequent use of fertilizers and herbicides to manage these consequences. Conservation of soil and water may be a guiding principle behind selling native plants to the Whidbey Island community, but raising public awareness of responsible land and resource stewardship is the real mission of Whidbey Island Conservation District. Selling native plants is not a money-making project for the District, and any profits from the sale go right back in to educational programs on resource conservation. It’s all about spreading natives for Better Ground! Be sure to check out the "Native Plant Resources" list to the left. We did the research, so you don't have to, and there are a lot of great resources on a variety of native plant uses in this section. If you have additional questions, please contact Sandy, Kelsi, or Shannon. |
Click a Tab Below for More Resources:
native plant online store
...Click to download & share flyer
How Does WICD's Native Plant Pre-Sale Ordering & Open Sale Process Work?
From November through January of each year, we accept pre-orders against our native plant inventory. Individuals who sign-up to be on our Native Plant Email List are the first to receive notice of when our online storefront is open and taking orders. We also promote the sale through community bulletins, in the newspaper, and other outreach avenues to help spread the word. We reserve this plant inventory from our Conservation District plant grower in Bow, WA (the Plant Materials Center) and other native plant sources, based on sales from previous years. The plants are harvested in late winter (while dormant) and delivered to us the last week in February. During the pre-sale period, as an order is purchased, it is reserved from our inventory. If we run out of a species, we try to increase our order accordingly, but often local growers have pre-sold all of their stock. This is why we encourage our customers to order early – you’re more likely to get everything you want. Plus, if we do run out early, we have a better chance of finding more inventory. There is also always the chance that an unexpected weather event can cause a particular crop to fail. In that case, we do our best to track down replacements or offer suitable substitutes. Our pre-order sale typically ends on January 31st, and we spend February finalizing orders, confirming our inventory, and preparing for the arrival of our plants. In a whirlwind of activity over the course of 2-3 days just before the pickup date, our intrepid volunteers help us bundle the plants into the pre-orders for pickup. There is the possibility that unsold inventory will be available for sale on the Saturday pickup date. So, support your local conservation district, and place your plant order early. Go native plants! Did you miss this year's Native Plant Sale? Check out other Conservation District Plant Sales. Many of Washington State's Conservation Districts host their own Native Plant Sales, and each sale timeframe, structure, and plant offerings are unique to each District. In case you missed our sale this year, we encourage you to check the links below and see if one of our neighboring Conservation Districts is still accepting plant orders for their Native Plant Sale.
DID YOU PURCHASE MADRONES AT OUR PLANT SALE?
HERE ARE SOME PLANTING AND CARE TIPS: If you are planting one of these beauties in your garden, you must provide a well-drained spot to prevent root rot! Superb as a single tree or in drifts, Madrones do best in a south or west exposure, well drained. Do not over-water or fertilize. Salal (Gaultheria shallon) does nicely below Madrone. Mainly disease resistant, the Madrone is sometimes afflicted with root rot, fungi or soot cankers. Although it prefers some sun, it seems not to mind some partial shade. Poor, even rocky soil is fine, especially a bit on the acid side. Stake your young tree with plastic ties to give it a little extra support until it's well rooted. Some leaves will die in January - February but most will remain and soon new buds appear! As with all plants, keep your Madrone well groomed. Remove any sick leaves or branches with sanitized cutters. As particular as it can be to establish, once it settles down to grow it will withstand high temperatures and drought to wet freezing conditions. Besides visual impact, this tree will add more value to your property than any other native. native plant resources
Native plants provide a landowner with countless possibilities for infusing conservation into their backyards. Whether you have a wetland, a shoreline, a forest, or a lot in town, you'll want to browse and click on the publications listed below. Getting Started with PNW Native Plants
Step-by-Step Guides for Native Plants
Planting "How-To" Irrigation & Watering Mulching Tips Alternative Pest Management Microclimates Native Plant Propagation Native Plant Salvage Pollinators
Birds & Wildlife
Soil Stabilization & Erosion Control (see also our Water Management page)
Rain Gardens (see also our Water Management page)
Wet Sites, Wetlands & Riparian Areas (see also our Water Management page)
Fire-Resistant (see also our Firewise page)
Drought Tolerant Washington Glacial Outwash Prairies Shorelines & Bluffs (see also our Water Management page)
Septic Drainfield Landscaping
Screens & Hedges
Lawn Alternatives interested in volunteering?
In addition to our need each year for 60 volunteers to help pack and prepare plant orders for our Annual Native Bareroot Plant Sale, Whidbey Island Conservation District staff can also work with you to find the right project fit based on our current needs and your skill set. With such a modest sized staff, we are always in need of extra help at the office and often have some fun and interesting projects we could use volunteer assistance on. Please give us a call at (888) 678-4922 or fill out the form here to let us know you're interested in talking about "Volunteering" projects that fit your skill set and interests and we'll get back in touch with you. Note: If you have been a volunteer with WICD in the past and receive notice from us via email about volunteer opportunities, then there is no need to re-fill out the form, as we have you in our system and will notify you when opportunities for volunteering are available. Thank you! |
